No entertainment tax on IPL this year, says Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Monday ruled out levying entertainment tax on this year's IPL matches played in the state.

"It is not possible to levy tax on IPL since the season is over," Chavan told reporters in Mumbai.

To a question on whether the IPL season 4 will be taxed, he said the cabinet will take a decision on the issue.

Asked asked for his reaction to Bombay High Court's query to the government on whether there is any conflict of interest if a minister holds a post in a sports organisation like BCCI, Chavan said the government would seek legal advice before replying. The high court has asked the government to reply by May 5.

The court also asked the government to clarify whether it has decided to levy entertainment tax on IPL tournament.

The court's direction came in response to a PIL which has alleged that government had decided to levy this tax but did not implement it.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its latest report has said that the state government lost Rs 4.99 crore by not levying entertainment duty on IPL's first season where ten matches were held in Mumbai.